COUNTER EMPLOYING FEEDBACK SHIFT REGISTER CONTROLLING HYSTERESIS CIRCUIT

A counter for counting pulses or dividing frequencies has a timing signal generator circuit for generating a timing signal at a predetermined interval. A hysteresis circuit has input-output characteristics defining a low input threshold level and a high input threshold level. A control circuit responds to the timing signal for generating at least three control signals having different levels including a first control signal having a level lower than the low input threshold level, a second control signal having a level higher than the high input threshold level, and a third control signal having an intermediate level which is between the low input threshold level and the high input threshold level. The counter has a very large capacity, simple construction, and is effective with both analog and digital signals.